United States » Leon Sinks - Wakulla Springs |
Overview | Location & Specifics | Conditions | Resources | Nearby Systems |
Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.
Wakulla Spring is located in Wakulla Springs State Park about 20 miles south of Tallahassee. From the US 319 (Thomasville Road) exit on I-10 take Capital Circle (US 319) south 12.9 miles. Turn south (right) on US 319/SR 61 (Crawfordville Highway) and travel 1.9 miles. Bear left on SR 61 (Wakulla Springs Road) and go 7.6 miles to SR 267. Turn east (left) and park entrance is 0.1 miles on the south side of the road. The spring vent is located below the diving platform, northeast of the parking area.
Description - Wakulla Spring is one of the largest and most dramatic of Florida’s springs. The spring pool is roughly circular with a diameter of 315 ft north to south. The maximum pool depth is 185 ft. The vent opening is a horizontal ellipse along the south side of the pool bottom and is estimated to measure 50 ft by 82 ft. Along with a few smaller springs nearby, including Sally Ward Spring, Wakulla Spring gives rise to the clear Wakulla River. Water clarity of the spring in October 2001 was exceptional and the water was light blue. It should be noted that the water clarity of the spring varies dramatically in response to rainfall. Surface water entering the sinkholes that connect to the Wakulla Spring system greatly reduces the clarity. Exotic aquatic vegetation once covered much of the spring pool and adjacent river bottom, but divers have recently removed large amounts and herbicides have been used in efforts to control it. The Wakulla River remains choked with exotic invasive plants. Many other aquatic and emergent plant species also are present in the spring pool and river. A mixed hardwood, cabbage palm, and cypress forest inhabits lowlands along the north and east shores of the spring and along the river. Uplands along the western shore of the spring are developed into a state park lodge and facilities. Also, there are hardwoods and large loblolly pines scattered about. A major underwater cave system has been mapped at Wakulla Springs.
Utilization - Wakulla Spring is developed into a recreational and wildlife viewing area. The park has a lodge and restaurant. There are regular glass-bottomed riverboat and spring tours, and swimming is allowed in the southeast quadrant of the spring pool. The upper 3 miles of the Wakulla River is state-owned and is a protected wildlife sanctuary.
Wakulla Spring is located in Wakulla Springs State Park about 20 miles south of Tallahassee. From the US 319 (Thomasville Road) exit on I-10 take Capital Circle (US 319) south 12.9 miles. Turn south (right) on US 319/SR 61 (Crawfordville Highway) and travel 1.9 miles. Bear left on SR 61 (Wakulla Springs Road) and go 7.6 miles to SR 267. Turn east (left) and park entrance is 0.1 miles on the south side of the road. The spring vent is located below the diving platform, northeast of the parking area.
Description - Wakulla Spring is one of the largest and most dramatic of Florida’s springs. The spring pool is roughly circular with a diameter of 315 ft north to south. The maximum pool depth is 185 ft. The vent opening is a horizontal ellipse along the south side of the pool bottom and is estimated to measure 50 ft by 82 ft. Along with a few smaller springs nearby, including Sally Ward Spring, Wakulla Spring gives rise to the clear Wakulla River. Water clarity of the spring in October 2001 was exceptional and the water was light blue. It should be noted that the water clarity of the spring varies dramatically in response to rainfall. Surface water entering the sinkholes that connect to the Wakulla Spring system greatly reduces the clarity. Exotic aquatic vegetation once covered much of the spring pool and adjacent river bottom, but divers have recently removed large amounts and herbicides have been used in efforts to control it. The Wakulla River remains choked with exotic invasive plants. Many other aquatic and emergent plant species also are present in the spring pool and river. A mixed hardwood, cabbage palm, and cypress forest inhabits lowlands along the north and east shores of the spring and along the river. Uplands along the western shore of the spring are developed into a state park lodge and facilities. Also, there are hardwoods and large loblolly pines scattered about. A major underwater cave system has been mapped at Wakulla Springs.
Utilization - Wakulla Spring is developed into a recreational and wildlife viewing area. The park has a lodge and restaurant. There are regular glass-bottomed riverboat and spring tours, and swimming is allowed in the southeast quadrant of the spring pool. The upper 3 miles of the Wakulla River is state-owned and is a protected wildlife sanctuary.
Date | Submitter | Visbility | Remarks |
---|
Description | Type | Date | Author | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Home Page | Web Site | |||
Profile - East | Map | |||
Profile - North | Map | |||
System Map | Map | |||
Video | YouTube |
System | Depth | Cave | Cavern | OW | Last Report | Distance (mi) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cherokee Sink | 80 | True | True | True | 6/18/2023 | 1.5 |
Harvey's Cave | 280 | True | False | False | 10/13/2021 | 7.4 |
Leon Sinks - Emerald Sink | 180 | True | True | False | 8/9/2021 | 5.1 |
Mcbride's Slough | 90 | True | False | False | 6/22/2017 | 2 |
Indian Springs | 110 | True | False | False | 10/20/2016 | 1.6 |
Leon Sinks - Promise Sink | True | False | False | 6/15/2012 | 4.2 | |
Leon Sinks - Upper River Sink | True | False | False | 2/9/2012 | 3.9 | |
Leon Sinks - Whiskey Mill Sink | 220 | True | False | False | 6/11/2011 | 3.5 |
Leon Sinks - Go Between Sink | True | False | False | 1/19/2011 | 4.2 | |
Hatchet Sink | True | True | False | 4/9/2010 | 7.7 | |
Leon Sinks - Little Dismal | 250 | True | False | False | 1/18/2010 | 6.1 |
Leon Sinks - Big Dismal Sink | 250 | True | False | False | 1/18/2010 | 6.3 |
Leon Sinks - Gopher Hole | True | False | False | 1/18/2010 | 5.7 | |
Leon Sinks - Innisfree Sink | True | False | False | 12/5/2009 | 3.4 | |
Meeting House Sink | True | False | False | 2.9 | ||
Chip's Hole | 120 | True | False | False | 4.5 | |
Ames Sink | True | False | False | 5.8 | ||
Shepherd Spring | 180 | True | False | False | 7.6 | |
Leon Sinks - Sullivan Sink | 225 | True | False | False | 6.1 | |
Sally Ward Spring | 350 | True | False | False | 0.6 | |
Kelly Sink | True | False | False | 5.6 | ||
Leon Sinks - Split Sink | 45 | True | False | False | 5.2 | |
Leon Sinks - Turner Sink | True | False | False | 3.1 | ||
Leon Sinks - Cheryl Sink | 110 | True | True | False | 5.3 | |
Charcoal Sink | True | False | False | 7.4 |